A Prince George crash victim hopes someone in the public can help her piece together a fateful night she cannot remember.
On Feb. 27, 2010 Crystal Smith was walking home along Fifth Avenue in between Spruceland Mall and Central Street. It was about 1:45 a.m. Somehow she was struck by a passing vehicle, but the physical trauma left a blank spot in her memory.
Some of the ensuing events were seen by a witness.
"A quick thinking resident of a nearby house ran out to protect me from being run over by other vehicles and may have saved my life," said Smith, now 35. "I was found unconscious, lying partially in the eastbound lane of travel on Fifth Avenue."
The resident did not see the collision itself. The witness has remained anonymous throughout the investigation but has co-operated with authorities, explaining that two males were attending to Smith within seconds of the impact. One of them was seen calling 911 - this was later confirmed by investigation - then the two males left the scene before police or ambulance personnel arrived.
"I was left in the street," said Smith. "I had life-threatening injuries, I had to be in the hospital for a long time, and I still suffer from the effects of the injuries. It affects my daily life, and it affects my abilities to be the mom I want to be for my young son."
The two male occupants of the dark pickup were found by police some hours later. The passenger refused to talk to police and the driver denied striking Smith. Nonetheless, legal action was initiated by Smith's family to test the driver's version of events. Now ICBC has filed a court application, still pending, to have the claim dismissed.
"I have faced the ordeal of two major surgeries, with more to come, and lifelong disabilities," she said. "If the claim is dismissed it may leave me with no compensation for my injuries or the many months I was unable to work as I recovered."
Smith is asking for the help of anyone with information about the circumstances of that night, to possibly identify who might be responsible. Contact can be made by emailing [email protected].
